US issues terror alert for travellers heading to Europe

The United States has issued a terror alert for people travelling to Europe this summer, telling travellers that high-profile events such as Euro 2016 "will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations".

The warning also refers to the Tour de France and the Catholic Church's Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, which is expected to draw up to 2.5 million visitors.

"Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists, as do other large-scale sporting events and public gathering places throughout Europe," said the State Department.

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State Department spokesman John Kirby denied the US has intelligence that an attack is imminent.

"I'm not aware of any specific, credible terrorist event around these events or in any particular place in Europe," he said.

Richard Barrett, a former head of counterterrorism for MI6, told the BBC that US officials often issue such alerts when they hear about potential threats, "just because they are obliged to tell people about them, not because anything is going to happen".

The State Department last issued a warning for Europe after the terrorist attacks in Brussels in March. "That message said terrorist groups continue to plan attacks throughout Europe in such public venues as sporting events and tourist sites," reports the Washington Post.